Anchor system for completed structures

ABSTRACT

A system for securing a building structure, and various components of a building structure, to one another and/or to the building foundation or ground, is provided. The system includes apparatus for securing shingles against wind damage on a sloped, shingled roof; apparatus for securing the roof structure of a building to the adjacent upper wall structure; and apparatus for securing the roof structure directly to the foundation of the building or to the ground. The system is particularly adaptable to single and two story residential dwellings, such as single family homes and townhouses, and their related structures, such as garages and sheds, having sloped, shingled roofs. Installation of the complete system of the present invention provides substantial additional security for a structure against storm damage, particularly due to high winds.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/064,437, filed on May 21, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,708.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to buildings and relatedstructures, and more specifically to a system providing for the completesecurity and anchoring of all of the components of a completed familydwelling type structure or the like having a sloped roof, against highwinds and related storm damage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In most areas of the nation, buildings and structures are subject to atleast occasional high winds and severe storms. Hurricanes and tropicalstorms are relatively frequent occurrences with respect to the averagelife span of the typical building or dwelling, in the southeast andeastern parts of the country and occasionally hit the California coastand Hawaii as well. Tornados have been reported in every state in theunion, including Alaska. Aside from such severe weather as mentionedabove, severe thunderstorms can create localized gusts exceeding 100miles per hour on occasion, and severe frontal systems can also causeextensive winds.

Accordingly, most areas of the country have developed building codesrequiring minimum strength to provide at least some resistance to suchsevere conditions when they occur. While these requirements varysomewhat depending upon the specific area, they all are directed to newconstruction and do not address the need to anchor and secure apreexisting, completed structure. Of those devices and systems known,they primarily relate to means to anchor and retain temporary structures(e.g., mobile homes, sheds, haystacks and the like) and/or providespecialized components for use in the construction of new structures,which components are not readily adaptable for use in anchoring andsecuring portions of an already existing building.

The need arises for a system of anchoring and securing a preexisting,completed structure against high winds and storm conditions. The systemmust provide for the securing of shingles or like roof cover, securingthe roof to the remaining structure, and securing the entire structureto the ground or foundation. Moreover, the system must be readilyinstallable to the exterior of the structure without requiring anydisassembly of the structure, and must be relatively inexpensive andeasy to install.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

U.S. Pat. No. 129,805 issued to Henry W. Forman on Jul. 23, 1872discloses an Improvement In Portable Houses, comprising variousspecialized fittings for the assembly of the portable frame. Thesespecialized fittings are used for the primary assembly of the structure,and thus the structure could not be assembled without them. The presentinvention comprises various fittings and the like which may be securedto a completed structure, which may stand alone without them.

U.S. Pat. No. 181,518 issued to Samuel M. Bollman on Aug. 29, 1876discloses a Hay or Grain Cap comprising a multiple section, rigidpitched roof for temporary installation over a haystack or the like.Stakes tied to each corner may be driven into the ground to secure thedevice. No means of securing any shingles to the roof, securing the roofto an underlying building structure, or securing a building structure toits foundation is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 194,455 issued to Robert Montgomery on Aug. 21, 1877discloses Section-Roofs For Sheltering Grain, Etc. The device is similarto the Bollman patent discussed above, but depends primarily on weightssuspended along the eaves for security. Additional security is providedby a stake driven into the hay or grain, and tied to the roof. A supportstructure for the roof is also disclosed, but no means of securing theroof to the support structure is shown.

U.S. Pat. No. 797,474 issued to James A. Walker on Aug. 15, 1905discloses a Portable House utilizing specialized fittings to secure thestructural members together temporarily. The fittings are integral withthe balance of the structure, and cannot be removed while still leavingthe structure standing. In other words, they cannot be applied to anexisting, completed structure, as is the field of the present invention.

U. S. Pat. No. 822,143 issued to Alexander Mann on May 29, 1906discloses a Stack Cover formed of a plurality of interlocked corrugatedmetal sheets, secured by a plurality of weights suspended from theeaves. No other securing means is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 960,207 issued to Dwight C. Slater on May 31, 1910discloses a Portable House along the lines of the Forman and Walkertemporary structures discussed above. Again, the connecting members areintegral with the remaining structure, and cannot be removed while stillallowing the structure to stand, as in the case of the presentinvention.

U. S. Pat. No. 1,007,871 issued to James D. Horton on Nov. 7, 1911discloses a Portable House along the lines of the Forman, Walker, andSlater patents discussed above. All of the structural connectingelements must be assembled with the structure, and cannot be added afterthe completion of the structure, as in the case of the presentinvention.

U. S. Pat. No. 1,864,403 issued to Charles B. Bradley on Jun. 21, 1932discloses a House Anchor comprising two oppositely spaced cablesextending over the roof and through sleeves installed through the roofat each corner of the house. No intermediate tiedowns are shown, nor isany means disclosed for securing shingles on the roof. Moreover, nostructural ties between the roof structure and the wall structure areprovided.

U. S. Pat. No. 1,932,555 issued to Philip L. McKee on Oct. 31, 1933discloses a Greenhouse Eave (sic) Support And Drain Member comprising avertical post having a specialized fitting atop thereof to which therafters and eaves are secured. The glass sidewalls extend between theeaves and foundation, and the glass roof is supported by the rafters.Thus, the structure is permanent, and the fittings must be assembledbefore the completion of the structure, as in the cases of the Forman,Walker, Slater, and Horton patents discussed above.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,372,827 issued to William A. Halicki et al. on Apr. 3,1945 discloses a Roof Structure for permanent or semi-permanentstructures, in which the connecting member is permanently securedbetween the eaves and the proximate sidewall during construction. As themember is captured beneath a part of the eaves structure as the buildingis assembled, it cannot be later installed after completion of thebuilding, as in the case of the present invention.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,293,808 issued to Joseph R. Duncan on Dec. 27, 1966discloses a Prefabricated Cornice For Roof Construction essentiallycomprising a soffit support to which a soffit and other trim can besecured. The soffit support is secured to the overlying rafter end andprovides no more security to attach the roof to the underlying topplates, than the conventional technique of nailing the roof structure tothe underlying top plates. The soffit support and accompanying structuremust be assembled to the structure at the time of construction, as inthe case of many of the devices described above.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,309,822 issued to William H. Dunkin on Mar. 21, 1967discloses an Exterior Anchoring Apparatus For Surface Sheet. Theapparatus comprises a series of cables and fasteners extending from theridge of a gabled roof downward to each of the eaves, rather thanlaterally across one gable panel as in the present invention. No meansis disclosed for securing shingles on a shingled roof, nor is any meansdisclosed for securing the roof structure to the remainder of thebuilding.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,531 issued to Nardie F. Grimelli et al. on Aug. 15,1967 discloses a Tie-Down For House Trailers Or The Like. The apparatuscomprises a series of specialized brackets providing for the securing ofa rope(s) or cable(s) across the flat roof of a mobile structure, andground anchoring means. No similarity is seen to the present invention,as the apparatus is not readily adaptable to a fixed, permanentlyconstructed and located structure having a sloped roof.

U. S. Pat. No. 3,415,019 issued to Melvin A. Andersen on Dec. 10, 1968discloses an Integral Soffit And Fascia Unit Of Synthetic Plastic. Thetitle is descriptive of the limitations in comparison to the presentinvention, in that the device is integral with the construction (oneedge of the soffit is secured under the lower row of shingles) andformed of a non-structural material.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,874 issued to Jean L. Beaupre on Jun. 17, 1969discloses a House Anchorage comprising a plurality of brackets securedto a house with cables tying the brackets to ground anchoring points.While some of the brackets are secured to the underside of the raftersat the eaves, the outward extension of the cables therefrom would resultin significant obstruction of the walls of the house when working nearsuch walls was required. Moreover, no shingle securing means or means ofsecuring the upper wall structure to the roof structure is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,527 issued to Paul B. Double et al. on Apr. 13, 1976discloses a Material Supported Cover And Method For Securing Said CoverTo The Ground. The patent is primarily directed to a specialized anchorplate which is installable in the ground. In the embodiment directed tosecuring a structure to the ground, no means of securing shingles or oneportion of the structure to another of a permanently installed structureis disclosed; the only structure disclosed is a mobile home.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,257,570 issued to Carl M. Rasmussen on Mar. 24, 1981discloses a Tie Down Assembly for use in securing a camper shell to apickup truck or the like. No means of securing building structuralcomponents together or to ground anchors is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,951 issued to Denny L. Carlson et al. on Sep. 15,1981 discloses an Auxiliary Insulated Roof System for mobile homes, inwhich a bracket providing for the securing of the insulation to theupper wall structure is disclosed. No shingle securing means, means forsecuring rafters to the wall structure, or securing any of the structureto the ground or foundation is disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,453 issued to Colin F. Lowe on Dec. 28, 1982discloses a Frameless Metal Building And Building Components comprisingvarious sheet metal panels and attachment fittings. While the resultingbuilding is permanent or at least semi-permanent, the fittings must beinstalled at the time of construction and serve as the primary securingmeans for the structure; they cannot be installed or removed afterconstruction, as in the case of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,789 issued to Garry Tomason on May 13, 1986discloses an Anchoring Means For A Prefabricated Roof or Siding Panel.The patent is directed to a means of securing specially formed,prefabricated roof or exterior panels from within, and does not lenditself to securing previously completed structures using standardconstruction methods and materials from the exterior after completion.Moreover, no means of securing the structure to a foundation or to theground is disclosed.

U. S. Pat. No. 4,697,393 issued to Herbert R. Madray,on Oct. 6, 1987discloses a Metal Building Construction along the lines of the fittingsof the Forman, Walker, Slater, and Horton patents discussed above. Thefittings must be installed during construction, and are inherent in thestrength of the completed structure. They cannot be ether installed orremoved after construction, as in the case of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,403 issued to David A. Fulton et al. on Jan. 10,1989 discloses an Articulating Roofing Panel Clip for securing standingseam sheet panels together. The clip(s) cannot be installed over anexisting, completed roof structure and do not lend themselves toinstallation on shingled roofs or to secure any other structuralcomponents to one another or to the ground.

Finally, U. S. Pat. No. 5,109,641 issued to Peter Halan on May 5, 1992discloses Roof Transition Flashing for installation at the juncture of asloped roof and vertical siding. The flashing fails to anchor any of thestructure to any other part of the structure, and must be installedduring construction.

None of the above noted patents, taken either singly or in combination,are seen to disclose the specific arrangement of concepts disclosed bythe present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By the present invention, an improved anchor system for completedstructures is disclosed.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to providean improved anchor system which is adaptable to secure or anchor thecomponents of a completed building structure to the earth or foundationof the structure.

Another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved anchor system which is particularly adaptable to residentialstructures having sloped roofs, e.g., single family residences,townhouses, and associated structures, such as garages and sheds.

Yet another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved anchor system which provides external means for securing theshingles of a shingled roof against wind damage.

Still another of the objects of the present invention is to provide animproved anchor system which provides means for externally securing theroof structure of a building to the upper wall structure of thebuilding.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improvedanchor system which also provides external means for securing the roofstructure of a building directly to the ground or to the foundation ofthe structure, thus also securing the walls between the roof and theground or foundation.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide an improvedanchor system which makes use of readily available materials andcomponents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved anchorsystem which utilizes threaded fasteners exclusively wherever fastenersare required.

A final object of the present invention is to provide an improved anchorsystem for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable andfully effective in accomplishing its intended purpose.

With these and other objects in view which will more readily appear asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the invention consistsin the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated and claimed with reference being made to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a broken away perspective view of a sloped, shingled roof,showing the details of the shingle anchoring system of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view in section of the upper wall and roof trussarea of a structure, showing details of the wall to roof securing meansof the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one side of a building structure,showing the means used to secure the roof structure directly to thefoundation and/or ground.

FIG. 4 is a front view in elevation of a roof and rafters of a structurewhich depicts the details of the presently claimed anchor system.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the several figures of the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention will be seen torelate to a system providing for the securing of various components of abuilding structure together, and for the securing of a buildingstructure to an underlying foundation or to the ground.

FIG. 1 of the drawings discloses a means of securing shingles on asloped, shingled roof according to the present invention. It is wellknown that shingles are very susceptible to damage from storms with highwinds, if the wind lifts the shingles and tears them away from theunderlying roof sheathing. The problem lies in the securing of the loweredge of each of the rows of shingles on such a roof, as the upper edgeof each row is secured beneath the adjacent overlying row up to the roofridge. Accordingly, the present invention provides a means to secure thelower edge of each row of shingles by means of a plurality of transverseshingle securing lines or cables 10 which are installed laterally acrossthe shingles S. Lines 10 are preferably installed a distance Dapproximately 11/2 inches up slope from the lower edge E of each row Aof the shingles S, in order to preclude the lifting of any of the loweredges E of the shingles S. Lines 10 are secured at each end rafter ER(one of which is shown in FIG. 1; the opposite end of the roof of FIG. 1will be seen to be essentially a mirror image of the end shown) by aneye bolt 12. Eye bolts 12 are provided with threaded lag screw ends andscrewed through the shingles S, roof sheathing thereunder, and into theend rafter ER, with each end of each line 10 drawn taut across arespective row A of shingles S and secured around a respective eye bolt12 by a braided eye 14. Preferably, each line 10 is formed of a braidedpolyester material having an open core in its relaxed condition, therebyproviding for ease of formation of the braided eyes 14 at each end. Thebraided polyester material has been found to be relatively durable andresistant to sunlight and other potential causes of deterioration, andat the same time relatively economical. Other materials may be used ifdesired, such as stainless steel cable, and preferably stainless steelanchors such as eye bolts 14 are used in order to provide corrosionresistance and long life.

Each of the lines 10 is further secured to each of the otherintermediate rafters R between the two end rafters ER, by a plurality ofoverlying straps 16 which tie each line 10 down at each rafter R. Eachstrap or clamp 16 is secured on either side of its respective line 10preferably by a stainless steel spiral threaded roofing nail 18, with athird like nail 18 driven through the center of the strap 16 and throughthe line 10 thereunder to provide additional security. Straps or clamps16 are preferably copper for corrosion resistance; however, othermaterials (e.g. stainless steel) may be used as desired. Thus, everyshingle S on the roof is secured, as each row A of shingles S will havean overlying line 10 extending transversely thereacross approximately11/2 inches up from the lower edge E. The lower edges E of the shinglesare therefore prevented from lifting due to high winds or other causes,and yet the placement of the lines 10 a short distance D upward from thelower edges E of each row A of shingles S, serves to prevent theshingles S from curling back under the lines 10 to lift above the lines10. The above discussed element of the structural security system of thepresent invention will be seen to be applicable to a completedstructure, with no dismantling of any of the structure required for itsinstallation on the structure. Moreover, one of the key elements of thepresent invention will be seen to be its use of threaded fasteners tosecure each element or component; the use of standard, non threadednails or the like is avoided. The threaded fasteners used throughout thesystem of the present invention provide a substantial increase insecurity between components thus secured.

While the above element of the system serves to prevent shingle damageor loss in high wind or storm conditions, and thereby prevent waterdamage to the interior of the structure and its contents, it doesnothing to secure major structural components together to prevent majorstructural damage or destruction of the structure. One of the majorcauses of structural damage in extremely high wind conditions(hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and tornados, etc.) is the lifting andremoval of the entire roof from the remainder of the structure.Considering that conventional frame structures rely primarily upon theweight of the roof to keep the roof in place, with the structure beingsecured only by a relatively few standard nails, it is not surprisingthat high winds can often remove a roof from a structure.

FIG. 2 of the drawings discloses a means for securing the roof of astructure to the adjacent upper walls. FIG. 2 discloses a section of aconventional framed structure, having substantially vertical wall studsW topped by a top plate P, with a ceiling joist J immediately adjacentand thereabove. A sloped rafter R is installed atop the joist J, in theconventional manner as shown in FIG. 1. However, rather than merelyallowing the joist J and remaining roof structure to rest upon the upperplate P, an additional tie 20 is installed at the juncture of each ofthe wall studs W and ceiling joists J. These wall stud to ceiling joistties 20 are installed externally to a previously completed structure, asin the case of the shingle securing system discussed above. Each tie 20is preferably formed of a strap of stainless steel some 11/2 incheswide, or equal in width to the standard 11/2 inch thick "two by fours"generally used for wall stud construction. A right angle bend is formedin the strap or tie 20, enabling the tie 20 to be secured to both theupper portion of the wall stud W and also to the ceiling joist J andrafter R thereabove. By providing a strap or tie of some eight inches inlength, the majority (preferably some five inches) may be secured to thevertical wall stud W, with the remaining length secured to the adjacentjoist J, or through the adjacent joist J and into the rafter Rthereabove. Threaded screws or bolts of sufficient length to penetratesubstantially the majority of the depth of the secured members areprovided, such as the lag bolts 22 shown in FIG. 2. Bolts 22 are againpreferably formed of stainless steel for corrosion resistance and longlife; however, other materials may be used if so desired. It will benoted that the lag bolts 22 penetrating the wall studs W are somewhatshorter than the lag bolts 22 penetrating the ceiling joist J and rafterR, due to the greater depth of material provided by the ceiling joist Jand rafter R. By providing bolts 22 of proper length, it will be seenthat all three of the major structural elements shown in FIG. 2--thewall stud W, the ceiling joist J, and the rafter R--may be tied togetherwith a single tie 20. This provision of a single tie 20 to securetogether all of the above elements, provides for additional security fora structure so secured. Further security may be provided by securing anadditional bolt (not shown) into the upper plate P, immediately beneaththe ceiling joist J. While the thickness of the soffit immediatelybeneath the eaves may not allow sufficient depth along the exterior wallfor such an additional bolt, in many cases a double upper or top plateis installed and the three inch thickness thereby provided, serves toprovide sufficient depth for an additional lag bolt into the lower oneof the double top plate members.

For even greater security, the tie 20 may be provided in a longerlength, having an extension 20a which may be bent to an anglecomplementary to the slope of the rafter R and secured directly theretowith additional bolts 22. The bolts 22 secured directly into the end ofthe rafter R and through tie extension 20a, serve to provide additionalsecurity over the portion of tie 20 which is held by bolts 22 which aresecured indirectly to the rafter R through the joist J. In any case, theprovision of means to secure each of the above structural componentstogether by means of threaded fasteners 22, provides for a majorstrengthening of the upper portion of the structure.

While the above two elements of the present invention serve to securethe shingles to the roof of a structure, and to secure the roof of thestructure to the upper walls, even further security is required in somecases. The present invention further provides for the securing of theroof structure directly to the foundation F or to ground anchors 24, asshown in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 discloses a plurality of eye bolts 12 which arescrewed into the rafters R from the bottom, preferably on the order offour inches outward from the exterior surface of the wall. In order topreclude blockage of doorways, windows or other areas as desired, no eyebolts 12 are provided in those rafters R directly in front of suchareas.

A like plurality of anchor points is provided in the foundation F or inthe ground adjacent the foundation F, as desired and as appropriate forthe conditions. In FIG. 3, a plurality of ground anchors 24, comprisinglarge masses of concrete or other suitable anchor means (e.g., buriedsteel anchors or columns), with tiedown eyes 26 extending therefrom, isshown to the right side of the drawing, while additional eye bolts 12are secured into the foundation F by means of lag shields or othersuitable anchor means. Preferably, the underlying structural anchormeans provided by ground anchors 24 are installed no more than sixinches outward from the perimeter of the structure, in order to keep alltiedown lines or cables 28 close to the structure and substantiallyparallel to the walls, thus avoiding entanglement with such lines 28 bya person working near the exterior walls of the structure (e.g.,gardening, etc.) The precise distance out from the walls for theinstallation of the eye bolts 12 into the rafters R, and the placementof the ground anchors 24 and foundation eye bolts 12, may be adjusted inorder to ensure that the tiedown lines or cables 28 are substantiallyparallel to the walls and relatively close to the structure wheninstalled.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of a roof and rafters onto whichthe present invention is attached. Securing means 18 pass through linestraps 16, shingles S (shown in FIG. 1), the roof, and into rafters R.Eye-bolt 12 is shown threadibly attached through the roof to theunderlying end rafter ER.

A plurality of tiedown lines or cables 28 equal to the number of eyebolts 12 installed in the rafters R along the eaves of the structure, isthen installed, drawn taut in the manner of the shingle securing lines10, and secured at opposite ends to a respective rafter eye bolt 12 andground anchor tiedown eye 26 or foundation eye bolt 12, as appropriate,by means of a braided loop or eye 14, as shown in FIG. 1. Roof or raftertiedown lines 28 are preferably formed of the same material as the linesor cables 10 used to secure the edges of the shingles S, as shown inFIG. 1. It will be seen that the securing of the rafters R directly toany underlying structure comprising the foundation F or ground anchors24, results in the remainder of the roof structure, the wall structure,and any other interposed structure, being captured between the roofrafters R and the foundation F or ground anchors 24. Moreover, whileeach individual tiedown line or cable 28 may not provide sufficientstrength to secure a large structure in a high wind, the plurality ofcables or lines 28 provided by the present invention will be seen toprovide sufficient strength and security to secure an average framestructure under most conditions of wind and storm which might beanticipated in most areas.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the present invention provides for thecomplete securing of a one or two story frame structure having a sloped,shingled roof, to the ground or to its own foundation to precludeshingle or roof damage, removal of the roof from the rest of thestructure, or displacement of the structure from the foundation due tosevere storms and high winds. The present invention lends itself well tosingle family homes and similar or related structures which have alreadybeen completed and which have been permanently and immovably constructedon a building site. The use of only external anchor and tiedown means,as well as the exclusive use of threaded fasteners and anchorsthroughout the present invention, results in a system which is bothsimple to install and which is also extremely durable and secure.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. In an existing completed permanent frame structure having asloped roof supported by a plurality of rafters and covered by aplurality of rows of shingles, each of the shingles having an upperportion secured by an overlying shingle and a lower portion resting atopan underlying shingle, an external anchoring system comprising:aplurality of attachment means, said attachment means externally mountedto the rafters of the structure; a plurality of shingle securing lines,each of said shingle securing lines having a first end and a second end,said first end attached to one of said plurality of attachment means,and said second end attached to another of said attachment means suchthat each of said securing lines extends tautly from one of saidattachment means to the other of said attachment means in a longitudinaland horizontal direction across the roof, parallel and in contact withthe plurality of rows of shingles; a plurality of line straps, said linestraps securing and overlying said shingle securing lines at pointsbetween said attachment means where said shingle securing lines crossover the rafters of the structure; and a plurality of securing means,each of said securing means passing through one of said line straps,through one of said shingle securing lines, through the shingles, andfixedly secured to a rafter of the frame structure, whereby saidsecuring means providing additional security to prevent the broken ofsaid single securing lines.
 2. The external anchoring system accordingto claim 1 wherein said shingle securing lines are disposed across thelower portion of each of the shingles of each row of shingles.
 3. Theexternal anchoring system according to claim 2, wherein said attachmentmeans are eye-bolts having threaded ends, said eye-bolts threadiblyattached to the rafters of the structure through the shingles.
 4. Theexternal anchoring system according to claim 3, wherein said eye-boltsare threadibly attached to end rafters of the roof of the structurethrough the shingles.
 5. The external anchoring system according toclaim 4, wherein said shingle securing lines are formed of polyester. 6.The external anchoring system according to claim 5, wherein said shinglesecuring lines are attached to said eye-bolts by a braided loop at eacheye-bolt.
 7. The external anchoring system according to claim 4, whereinsaid eye-bolts are formed of stainless steel.
 8. The external anchoringsystem according to claim 4, wherein said line straps are formed ofcopper.
 9. The external anchoring system according to claim 8, whereinsaid securing means are stainless steel spiral-threaded roofing nails.